"Choiseul On The Move" was created to inform Choiseulians here and abroad as well as other interested readers bout the developments - political, social, educational and any other topics of interest happening in the district.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

New Financial Complex Under Construction

Scores of skilled and
unemployed nationals have and will continue to receive employment opportunities
on the multi million construction of a Financial Centre at Pointe
Seraphine.

In addition, the state-of
the-art facility will save government millions in annual rental fees, as the
various departments in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs will be in
one central location.

Speaking Tuesday April 10,
2012 at the project sod turning ceremony Prime Minister and Minister for Finance
Honourable Dr Kenny Anthony said the project which was started by the previous
administration will result in greater efficiency in
government.

“The honour for this
investment properly belongs to the former Government of Saint Lucia and more
importantly former Prime Minister Stephonson King. Currently the government
pays $33.5 million in rental cost per annum and that is a phenomenal amount of
money, and the principle difficulty with that arrangement is the tendency for
government offices to be fragmented and located in various locations resulting
in little control of day to day activities. When all departments are located in
one area I am certain it will be far better to achieve accountability and allow
for efficiencies to prevail in the operations of the Government of Saint Lucia”.
Dr. Anthony said.

The six storey financial
centre on 64,000 square feet of land is expected to be complete in 22 months
under the Built Operate Lease Transfer or BOLT arrangement financed by the
National Insurance Corporation.

NIC Director Mr Mathew
Mathurin said the project is a significant investment in the country at this
time of global economic uncertainty.

“This project is not merely an
investment for the National Insurance Corporation it is just as important a
contribution towards national development-the project provides the dual benefit
of generating economic activity as well as being a safe addition to the
investment portfolio of the NIC,” Mr. Mathurin said.

The Financial Centre is touted
to be the greenest office building in St Lucia, informed by the guidelines of
the US Green Building Council. It is being constructed by NH International
Caribbean Ltd.